City to Host First-Ever ‘Startup Weekend Binghamton

Entrepreneurs and
their supporters encouraged to participate; limited scholarships available

BINGHAMTON, NY—Mayor Matt Ryan today
announced that the City will host the first-ever "Startup Weekend Binghamton”
this weekend, November 9th—11th, at the Binghamton
Riverwalk Hotel and Conference Center. Participants will pitch business startup
ideas and form teams to compete for awards and cash prizes. The Binghamton
Local Development Corporation (BLDC) will be offering limited scholarships to
aspiring local entrepreneurs to participate in the event, which is taking place
in conjunction with National Entrepreneurship Month.

"Binghamton is committed to growing our own businesses, and
supporting entrepreneurship is critical to meeting that goal,” said Mayor Matt
Ryan. "This event will help to cultivate innovative ideas for business
development, create new jobs and promote practices that will strengthen our
local economy. Hosting Startup Weekend Binghamton also is a great way to
commemorate National Entrepreneurship Month.”

Registration, Scholarships and Other Details

Registration is $99 for everyone except students, for whom the
rate is $65. Registration is available online at binghamton.startupweekend.org. Anyone interested in receiving a scholarship to Startup
Weekend Binghamton should send their resume and a brief paragraph describing
why they want to participate in the event to binghamton@startupweekend.org. Whether paid or by scholarship, registration
includes meals Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday night’s activities
will include dinner, an open mic for participants to pitch their business
ideas, a vote for the top 15 ideas and the formation of teams to transform each
of the winning ideas into a marketable business model. On Saturday and Sunday,
the teams will develop these ideas with the help of seasoned entrepreneurs and
then present them to a panel of judges. The event will conclude with the judges
awarding prizes to the best business model, including $3,500 in cash prizes and more
than $6,000 in services such as advertising, accounting and legal fees.

"We’re always looking for ways to expand the Southern Tier’s
network of entrepreneurs and their supporters, and Startup Weekend Binghamton
is an excellent opportunity that we’re ready to seize,” said BLDC Executive
Director Merry Harris. "We’re excited for what this event will bring, and we encourage those
interested to register and attend.”